The World of Foster Care Literature

Continue; Begin or …Not

Reading or listening to a book allows you to set the pace as you consider the perspectives, and feelings of the Other-Adults and Children involved in Fostering, or Adoption.

A glimpse at what Fostering could be, and a time to form a plan(s) to cope are the gift of considering the choices in these works.

Reading or listening to a book allows you to set the pace as you consider the perspectives, and feelings of the Other-Adults and Children involved in Fostering, or Adoption.

Each story reveals another facet, and more layers of Fostering/Adoption. Each Foster/Adoption “beginning” point is reached differently, and the journeys are not identical-good to know before you begin the hike.

All of the following reads use relaxed absorption of the perspectives presented to reveal the many persons directly impacted by Fostering/Adoption. These are often not clearly embraced before deciding to Foster/Adopt.

The giving-sacrifices of many provide a safer, healthier home for the Child(dren) who need fostering. This is a fundamental truism of successful fostering at any age.

These reads explore a range of the persons potentially involved in the need for fostering. Guardians fostering for incarcerated birth Moms, recovering addicts, “missing in action” relatives who want the child(dren), Grandparents, sole-surviving relative, ill/dying Guardian -‘parent’ to ‘new family relationships-Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and even the Pre-Tween and Teen voices of fostered children add to the story of Foster Care in these selections.

Slowly these collective reads reveal a Foster World very full of needs, and their sustainable responses. A list can be made from what is revealed directly ; and a second list from what is not directly stated. A prime list to consider, and what to avoid, from the multi-faceted perspectives presented.

Excellent in helping to discern whether Foster Care is for you, still for you, could be better for you and the child(dren) and how to have the best experience fostering, wile relaxing and enjoying a story.

If you’re the ‘reader’ in the group, or the ‘listener’, mark those passages key to you, and start by sharing those.

Just remember some people like to touch the book, some prefer to kindle and others, audio is their pathway. The message, not the pathway is your goal.

A universal restatement in all reads is Healthy commitment is clearly key in each journey.

The commitment if made by all choosers involved, makes a successful  journey of the Foster moment-because that is currently all we are allotted as those chosen to care for the Foster Child(dren).

Many of these reads imply the question, very subtly, why,  is it necessary to disrupt the life of a Child already “orphaned”, repeatedly.

I did not find a good answer yet, if I do, I’ll write another article, and let you know. I’ll also be adding to my list of good reads. Anything the Care providers are reading, the Professionals need to be reading to keep communication flowing in a healthy direction. I speak from  experience. If I’m leading and I don’t know what has inspired you or stirred your passions, there is a major moment of connection for the benefit of the child(dren) that is lost.

Married couples who dialogue and journal with each other, know exactly what I just said-but journaling and dialogue are for all.

There are great passages in each book suitable for reflection for all involved in the Foster/Adoption Programs-great quick read paragraph(s) tremendous in freeing real thoughts and hopes for  living.

Wonderful for dialoguing or journaling to generate healthy discussions within home environments.

I hope the Professionals take the time to listen to what emerges from these safe conversations and the systems that exist will fit the needs of the Child-and I am not speaking of only the physical needs. It takes many hands to make the work flow lightly.

The best at parsing the hearts of Birth Parent(s), foster Parents, and Social worker is . This book really explores the emotional angst of each role in the Foster Quadrangle. You clearly feel the “pinch” of each person’s shoes when considering the others concerns/struggles as you follow the internal journeys of doubt, trust, sacrifice, and making healthy choices with the right reasons at their foundation, of each of the sides of the Foster World.

These are not textbooks, or manuals these are works of fiction built around sparking splinters of truth. They are meant to invite and support on continuing the journey within yourself. They penetrate, release, and bring the healing of greater peace, by opening understanding of the self and other(s).

After absorbing the voices in these books, I became aware of the potential tensions and hurts between the Adults involved in fostering. Fostering is a big work, and there is not energy for the unacknowledged Adult-Adult issues.

These reads pinpoint what they can be, shows resolution and how they got there. It’s all part of the stories. When I’m mowing the lawn in high temperatures I do not want to work in a binding snowsuit; don’t carry what you don’t need. These are the books, their authors, and a brief description. A longer description of these works can be found at rrrrb2r@blogspot.com or CBD.com. Enter the book title or the author name, and multiple reviews will appear.

They are available for purchase or download online, and are available at my local Library, perhaps yours also.

Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble-A single Mom’s fostering evolves into adoption.

The Desire by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley-A childless couple not planning to ever foster or adopt embrace a ‘new desire’-adoption.

Christmas at Harmony Hill by Ann H. Gabhart-The fostering of a young expectant, homeless Mother and her child.

One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon-A Single Mom adopts.

Hope Runs by Diaz-Ottiz & Gachuagua-Involves an overseas orphanage in Africa and one exra-special connection.

A Place Called Home by Jo Goodman-Two single Guardians unwilling enter fostering, with no support.

Sometimes God Has A Kid’s Face by Sr. Rose McGready-Real accounts of Teens from Sr. Rose’s Convenant House. Authentic Teen voices about everything you’ll encounter fostering Teens. Beautiful and full of hope.

On Hummingbird Wings by Lauraine Snelling- A book on Sibling Rivalry, its ripples, and overcoming the curved thinking that sustains it.

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter-About embracing life no mater the circumstances. The Heroine keeps her baby.

Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer-A good book about pre-equipped young ‘Adults” entering self-support.

A Simple Hope by Rosalind Lauer-Secondary plot-Why Teens flee and become runaways-and how to reconnect Teens to a healthy home.

We all need a good laugh-read Christmas Cat-a Nephew turned ‘Social Worker’ must place His Aunt’s beloved pets with ‘good homes’.

These are only a suggested start list to tug your heart, widen your perspectives, and open your eyes-clearly many people are interested in the needs leading to Fostering.